Chile Court Enforces DNS Blocking for Unauthorized Betting Sites

Chile’s Santiago Court of Appeals has approved a mechanism to actively block unauthorized online betting and gambling sites through DNS-based intervention. This continuous enforcement allows new domains and mirror sites to be blocked without reopening initial court cases. A review process aims to minimize erroneous blocking of legitimate services.

Supreme Court Mandate and DNS Blocking

This decision stems from a pivotal Supreme Court ruling requiring internet service providers to block unauthorized betting platforms. The Court had previously tasked the Telecommunications Subsecretariat (Subtel) to outline how providers could comply. Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, or other stakeholders can submit domains believed to link to unauthorized gambling sites.

The Superintendency of Gaming Casinos (SCJ) will verify whether these domains fall within the court's scope. Upon confirmation, Subtel forwards these to providers, who must implement the block within a set timeframe and report compliance to the Court.

Flexible and Proportional Approach

The DNS blocking method was recommended by Subtel due to its focus on specific domains, offering a more targeted solution than broader measures which risk over-blocking. This ensures lawful content remains unaffected while addressing unauthorized activities.

Background of Legal Actions

The DNS process is rooted in a lawsuit by Lotería de Concepción against telecom firms including Claro, Entel, GTD Manquehue, Telefónica Chile, WOM, and VTR. The complaint argued these companies enabled access to illegal gambling services. In September 2025, the Supreme Court affirmed this claim and mandated providers to block the non-compliant sites.

Continuous Process and Revisions

The enforcement structure is adaptive, permitting updates as new domains or mirror sites surface from operators trying to evade restrictions. Corrections are also possible if blocks inadvertently affect legitimate parties. This was a critical enhancement to the original ruling, which struggled with operators bypassing blocks by changing web addresses.

This step represents a significant development in Chile's regulatory framework for online gambling, reinforcing oversight while addressing potential loopholes.